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Health & Fitness

SB 1307 Will Lower Mandatory School Age

Illinois senate looks to lower the mandatory school age from 7 to 5.

Illinois SB 1307 will lower the mandatory school age from 7 to 5 years old.  It has moved from being introduce on 2/5 to third reading today (3/1) for potential passage.  I just found out about it.  Shouldn't we discuss this before it becomes law?

Forcing children to attend school at age 5 is a bad idea because:

1. Some children mature faster than others.  Parents are the best judge of what is best for their own child.  

2. There are no long-term repeatable studies proving that starting school at age 5 rather than 7 is better for the child.

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3. There is no reliable research that says that formal education is better than a normal home environment for helping a young child grow intellectually.


I think school districts should concentrate on their current job of providing an excelent education for those already in school and not be looking to expand to younger children.

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Jan Shaw

candidate for Wheaton-Warrenville CUSD 200 school board.

web: janshaw200.com

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